Search Continues For Shooting Suspect Near Ferris State University

UPDATE (12:30am): Authorities are reporting that they have the suspect in custody. No other details are being released at this time. A press conference will be held Sunday morning.

Police in Big Rapids are continuing their search for a suspect after an off-campus shooting early Saturday morning near Ferris State University.

According to Ferris State's Department of Public Safety, Police are in search of a suspected shooter who, earlier this morning, walked into an off-campus apartment at Venlo Place in Big Rapids and shot a man, who is a student at Ferris State.

The man shot, whose name has not yet been released, was transported to Spectrum Hospital in Grand Rapids with non-life-threatening injuries.

According to the Ferris State Department of Public Safety, officers have searched two different apartments on the Ferris State campus. Those searches did not lead authorities to the suspect.

Ferris State officers are working with the Big Rapids Department of Public Safety, the Mecosta County Sheriff’s Department, and the Michigan State Emergency Support Tactical and together, they have located a vehicle that was believed to be involved in the shooting. That vehicle was parked only a mile away from the shooting scene.

While the search is continuing, activities have resumed on the Ferris State campus.

The shooting suspect has been described as a 6-foot-tall African-American male with dreadlocks, aged 20-25, and weighing 150-180 lbs. He was last seen wearing black cargo pants, a red sweatshirt, and a black vest.

Students and community members are being advised to exercise caution as they move about the Big Rapids campus and surrounding areas. Students are being encouraged to use the buddy system.

Students and visitors to campus will see an increased police presence as a safety precaution as the investigation continues.

Anyone with information is being urged to call the Ferris State University Department of Public Safety at (231) 591-5000.